Changing the materials you use on a floor can be difficult, and you will often need to use a floor transition piece to help you keep both edges of the flooring in perfect condition, and also prevent people from tripping over the edges between the floors. A perfect way to transition between materials is to use a transition molding piece. These come in different varieties, depending upon the types of flooring that you are changing between. If you are trying to transition between a hardwood and a marble flooring, this can be somewhat daunting, and you may be concerned about doing it yourself. Rather than call in an expensive handyman, you can follow the instructions below and install your own floor transition pieces.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Screws
- Transition Piece
- Saw
Step 1 - Installing Your Floors
The first thing you need to do is to install the floors. The marble floor will probably have been laid by a professional, so bring in the hardwood floor as close as possible to the other, while still leaving a gap of a few millimeters. The hardwood should be cut so that it is straight on to the marble, rather than curving or forming a diagonal pattern, as this can mean that you will have gaps in the floor. Once the floors are laid, ensure that they are both as clean and free of debris as possible.
Step 2 - Installing the Transition Piece
You will need a piece with a lip that hangs over the edge of the hardwood, but not the marble. This lip will have small screw holes in it. You will also need a top which extends over the ends of both floors. You will need to take the base of the transition piece, which forms a track between the two sides, and place it so that the lip hangs over your hardwood floor. Bang the track molding down between the floors until it is around level with the floors, and then screw the lip down onto the hardwood.
Step 3 - Adding the Top
When you have screwed the transition track down into the hardwood, you should take the top of the transition piece. This may be longer than the space between the walls, or the door frame, and you will need to trim it to size with a saw. Cut across so that the top fits snugly in the gap, and sand down if necessary. Place the top over the track, ensuring that it is completely in alignment with it, and then hammer into position. The top should be flush with both floors so that you are in no danger of tripping over it.
Once the top has been hammered into position, leave the transition molding to settle. Then you can walk on it as you would with any other part of the floor.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
